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Chapter 35

We All Go A Little Mad Sometimes

"When you close your eyes, what do you see?
Do you hold the light or is darkness underneath?"

- Man Or A Monster by Sam Tinnesz ft. Zayde Wolf

A silent breeze stuck the night, the clouds had grown dark as they became one with the sky, wrapping around the moon and hiding its gleaming beauty from the land. Spirit restlessly paced back and forth on the Cimarron hill, as his mind circulated everything. His rushing blood was pulsing through his veins, while the silence and anxiousness of waiting began to penetrate his thoughts. He didn't trust Misty for a second and to be away from her and the unborn foal, made him even more nervous of what was yet to come. He was too far from the birthing scene and the darkness enveloped the surroundings so much, that the young stallion couldn't see the mare from where he was positioned even if he tried. But then again, this was how almost all mustang mares delivered their offspring. Perhaps, he needed to heed the prudent words of the experienced band stallions and his mother, and somehow calm down?

"Would you stop your pacing already?" Azogar suddenly burst, his patience running shorter and shorter as he observed the agitated soon-to-be father. "My eyes got tired from watching you."

Presently, Spirit was in the company of Cloud, Flint and Azogar. Even though, the three stallions had remained quiet for a while, and allowed Spirit to convey his racing emotions as he desired, eventually they all got bored of watching him stride back and forth like a panicked stag.

"He is right, the son of Strider." Flint agreed gently and courteously. "I know this feeling is new to a young sire like you, but try to relax."

"I remember my first time..." Joined Cloud, smiling fondly upon the memory of his first fatherhood. "...it was pretty intense, but then it gets easier."

"Yes, indeed. Now it's simply another normal occurrence." Flint nodded in agreement.

"I personally get annoyed sometimes." Azogar spoke up. "When my mares announce their pregnancy, I'm like...'Again?! Weren't you just in foal?'" He cackled, shaking his head with an amused snort. "It's like there's never a break."

Halting and raising his brows, Spirit stared at the grullo horse distastefully. "Well, if you don't like it so much, how about backing the hell away from them?"

"Uhh...why?" Frowned the silver grullo, not comprehending the meaning of Spirit's statement.

Spirit blinked, looking very unimpressed. Was he serious? "Why to prevent getting them in foal, of course!"

Azogar let out a shocked gasp. "What? You mean like even in...Spring?" He did not seem least bit pleased about that suggestion. In fact, he was stunned that Spirit would tell him such an unheard of, ridiculous thing.

"Duh!"

"Naaah! We have urges!" Scoffed and dismissed Azogar, glancing at the other two lead stallions. "That's the dumbest advice I've ever heard. Right?"

"Yes, it is quite silly, I must say." Agreed Cloud, unable to contain a surprised chuckle. "Spirit, don't turn us into you, please."

"Or worse!..." Azogar exclaimed dreadingly, pausing for a suspenseful second as he regarded the male companions before him."... don't turn us into Bolder!"

The golden-dun snorted with a roll of his eyes, slightly amused and slightly irritated at them. "Oh, no. Don't worry. I wouldn't dream of turning you into that gelding."

Cloud and Azogar heartily laughed at his jest but soon after, they both ceased their cackling and gaped at one another in confusion, realization hitting them. "Wait... what's a gelding?" Hesitantly questioned the wide-eyed silver grullo.

"You don't wanna know." Was the only plain response from Spirit.

Flint had stayed silent in this exchange, his expressions were unreadable and solemn. For a brief moment, he appeared to be lost in deep contemplation, until Cloud raised his voice, speaking up in an excited manner.

"Hey, since we're waiting here, why don't we entertain ourselves with a small game?" He proposed to Spirit, bright grin animated his muzzle.

"A game?"

"Yes! For example, I have a joke for you." The pale palomino said.

"Okay. I'm listening." Spirit's ears moved forward as he looked at Cloud expectantly.

"What do you call Misty in the dark?"

Spirit smirked with a mischievously knowing gleam in his eyes. "Pfft! That's easy. You call her a nightmare."

"That's it!" Cloud chortled.

At that, all four of the stallions, this time Flint included, exploded into a hysterical laughter, and only stopped their frenzied fit when they noticed Esperanza trotting up to Spirit in ecstatic happiness. "She gave birth! Misty just delivered your foal!" She alerted them the thrilling news.

"Are they both alright?" Spirit's heart beat fast against his chest, eager enthusiasm overwhelming him. He had become a father for a second time! What a marvellous feeling this was!

"From what I could see, yes." Esperanza nickered in a soothing tone. "But then again, I didn't dare get close to the area. Misty needs privacy to bond with the newborn foal."

"No, what Misty needs is a good wake-up call!" Spirit blurted angrily, hating to be deprived from one of his foals once more. He could tolerate Rain's demands, even if they happened to be unreasonable at times, but Misty?! No! She was too much! She was the one that caused all this mess in first place. She was the one that got between him and Rain and ruined his life. She was the one that attempted to kill Rain! She was the one that ultimately made Bolder and Rain's meeting possible! She was the beginning of all his troubles and therefore, Spirit wasn't about to walk on eggshells for the Shrew of the West. No siree!

"What do you mean, my son?" Esperanza inquired, warmly gazing in his eyes.

"What I mean is that no one will stop me from meeting my foal! No one! And I don't care if that's disrespectful to the mother or not!" He snorted with final determination and bounded down to the basin, with Esperanza hustling after him.

After a good hour of straining pain and uncomfortable struggle, Misty lay breathless on the cool ground, her swelled stomach was no longer oversized. Thankfully the birth had been fairly normal. She could sense from previous experience that the foal because of its incredibly awkward hanging position, was very big and quite late. The legs had slipped out quickly along with the head, but it was just the shoulders that seemed to be difficult, and she was quite embarrassed by this undignified position. Misty had been concerned for the foal's breathing during the whole labour. Perhaps, she should've let Spirit remain with her and watch? Ugh, no! She instantly decided against it. That idiot had done enough as it was! It was his fault she was in this severe torturous ache! And so, after what seemed like an endless tormenting agony for the struggling mare, the foal finally entered the world. Misty could not help but sigh in relief once her offspring was out of the womb, and she allowed herself to lie still and catch a bit of rest for a minute from all the enormous, painful strain she had just gone through.

At the sound of Misty exhaling heavily and the foal stirring itself on the cool earth, Spirit and Esperanza hurried over to investigate, but still remained few feet away from the new mother as well as the newborn, permitting Misty to be the first to meet the little creature.

"Please be a colt, please be a colt." Muttered the black mare to herself. Now came the most nerve-wracking part for her. To at last find out the sex of her foal. It would be quite a disappointment if after all this throbbing ache and struggle she endured, to be met by a useless filly. Rain had delivered a colt, and if Misty did not give birth to a son, the domesticated pet might be the one to steal her 'rightful' lead mare's place. No! Misty had worked way too hard for this. It better be a colt!

Already the newborn foal lay on its side, thrashing its legs this way and that in confusion and then suddenly, it altogether stopped moving. Misty lifted her head, stretching her nose towards the little bundle to sniff it and get a good look at it for the very first time.

"It's..a...

...

...a...

...YES!" She screamed gleefully, as soon as the scent of her newborn reached her nostrils. "I have a son!" She exclaimed with an euphoric joy.

"An-another son?" Spirit rasped, momentarily feeling increasingly swamped with unexplainable sensation. He stood utterly dazed as the colt just as suddenly as before, wobbled about so that he could lie next to his mother. And once in a relaxed position, he began to breathe rapidly. He was already just as exhausted as his dam but there was so much more that had to be done before the colt could be left to sleep.

Misty was not allowed to rest for long either, and all of a sudden, overcome with boastful excitement for producing a big, burly colt – a future band stallion, in her opinion – she enthusiastically rose to her feet to inspect the newborn. The ground the youngster had landed upon was hard and cold, the black mare was slightly nervous as to whether she might have chosen a bad birthing spot for her young one. But the colt let out a tiny snort, rather like someone blowing their nose, and still lying unbothered, turned his head up to his mother. The colt's hide was damp and dark, but Misty made herself busy and began to clean it up, snorting gently whilst Spirit shifted towards the two, curiously peering at them.

"Congratulations!" Esperanza's brown eyes were watery with happy tears, as she nuzzled her son lovingly. "Another sweet colt." They had both been standing six feet away from the new mother and the foal, until Spirit went over to greet his newborn.

When Misty noticed Spirit nearing them, she couldn't help but grin in triumph "Told you I was back in the game." She smirked, gloating maliciously. "Take that Rain! I have a colt too!"

"Are you serious right now?" Spirit gritted his teeth, powerless to hide his anger. They had just become proud parents of the darling colt and all Misty could think about was competing with Rain? Un, freaking, believable! What else did he expect from a shrewish mare like Misty, anyway? Ugh...the witch.

The new, swaggering mother ignored Spirit's words and stared down at their son, who was currently still lying on the ground, his lanky legs were curled up under his small belly and his rapid breathing had died down.

"Why isn't he standing up?" Misty asked Spirit, sudden concern very evident in her tone. "I nudged him couple of times and nothing...could something be... wrong?" Her heart skipped a beat, and automatically, unable to help herself, a frightening image of the very first doomed colt she had delivered flashed before her eyes. "What's wrong with him?!" She panicked, her voice rising in trepidation. Her entire frame shook with nothing but indescribable terror that caught Spirit off guard.

"It's okay, he's probably very tired–" Spirit went on to explain in a calm manner, completely oblivious to Misty's horrifying thoughts as he gently moved to breathe in the scent of his new offspring. He was no Mr. Experience in such matters, but truly from what he could tell, their son looked very healthy. Moreover the young one was also quite large in size and burly compared to Rain's dainty, tiny colt.

However, as soon as Misty saw Spirit touching the reclined foal, she let out a terrified shriek of utmost horror. "No! Don't kill him!" She yelled in frantic shock, quivering all over. "I can't watch this! No!" She shook her head, while Spirit gawked at her in stunned puzzlement. He had never seen Misty in such a hysterical state.

"What are you talking about? Are you okay?" He questioned, as the black mare trembled, her eyes wild with dreadful fear.

"Please! Don't! I can't watch this! I can't watch this!" Overwrought with madness and alarm, Misty couldn't hear the soft, reassuring nickers of Esperanza, Spirit and the couple of other mares that drew near them. All she knew was that she could not bear to witness another one of her foals killed so mercilessly. Shaking all over, she suddenly swung round and bolted from the scene.

"Misty! Stop!" Spirit cried, very taken aback at the unexpected turn of events. Never in a million years did he see this one coming.

"The colt's fine, we're with him." Esperanza turned urgently to her confused son, while Scarlet, Willow and Goonda came forward and encircled the newborn in a protective way. "You go after her! Bring her here quickly! The foal needs his mother." Esperanza instructed as Spirit nodded and snapping into a gallop, raced to retrieve the panicked black mare.

"Misty! Come back! You're a mother now!" He neighed loudly, dusting up a storm as he speedily flew after the departing mare in the late hours of the night.

In many ways, one could say that Misty was running away to never experience fear again, she was fleeing from its frustrating power that for some reason, always came back to haunt her. She had tried to withdraw herself from the influence of her traumatic past, so as to never to be in its bondage, so as to never to panic again, and yet unwittingly, not once had she been free from the evil spell of her past that she so desperately wished to escape. This night was no exception. In fact, it was an overflowing emotional explosion, as the earth thundered under her hooves and her heart cried. The fear acquired from her unforgettable past, blinded her with nothing but terror, it had so much power over her. It seemed to control all of her aspects in life, no matter how hard she tried to block it out. The rate at which her heart panted for comfort when astonished and overcome with fear was beyond measurement. Her heart and very soul seemed to suffer consequences whenever she fell victim to this frightful predicament. She despised self pity and being classified as the victim and yet, all she could think about was how to run away from everyone and everything that reminded her of her past life.

Hollowness in her chest, barely breathing and feeling of drowning in invisible tears, Misty's maddened gallop was abruptly brought to a halt, when a swift flash of golden yellow rushed up to her, and suddenly slammed on her left side, sending her flying on the ground with him falling on top.

"Get off of me! You beast! You savage!" Shrieked Misty in defiance, kicking up her heels to dislodge the stallion from her, but he was just too strong and she was too exhausted.

Spirit tried his best to dodge her fierce blows, and at the same time, attempted to find perfect balance between holding her down firmly, so as to not let her get away, and trying not to cause further damage by accidentally hurting her. The balance he hoped to achieve wasn't working so well. Unfortunately, this was the only possible solution he could think of that might somehow stop the crazed mare in her tracks.

"I can't watch his death! I can't!" Misty cried, struggling and panting hard to grapple out of his grasps. "No! Let go!"

"Misty! Listen to me! Listen!" Yelled Spirit, hoping to get through her panicked state, but she was too frenzied to heed his words.

"Don't kill him! Don't kill him! I beg you!" She continued her hysterical outburst, blinded with nothing but uncontrollable terror.

Looks like he didn't have much of a choice but to use slight aggression to shake her out of this insanity."That's enough!" Ordered Spirit and bit at her withers, which caused Misty to let out a sharp squeak and freeze. Once she quieted down and ceased to fight him, Spirit backed off a little, but still held her body down with his.

"Please..." Tears rolled down Misty's face as helplessness overwhelmed her. "I don't want to see him die..." She sobbed in silence, quivering under him fearfully. "I won't survive it this time..."

"Misty, look at me." Spirit told her softly. "Our colt is healthy and strong. He is more than alright. He is perfect, do you understand?" He assured with a gentle demeanour, but his tone was firm and confident. "You have nothing to fear. I promise you."

"So, you...you are n-not going to...kill him?" She stammered innocently, life slowly returning to her.

Spirit was really hurt at such a disgustingly vile accusation, but he couldn't find it in him to blame Misty. He had comprehended that her hysterical behaviour was due to her horrific past. "I would DIE for him. How can you even suggest such a thing? He is my blood, he is my son and I love him more than life itself."

There was an interval of peaceful silence as Misty stared at him with a sad, empty expression. For the first time since Spirit met the black mare, she seemed to appear naive, innocent and guiltless.

"I'm... I'm so, so sorry." The mare stuttered out and began to weep, coming back to her senses as Spirit finally released her, softly helping her up on her feet and pulled her close to him in a fond embrace.

"It's okay. You're okay." He comforted, while the black mare buried her nose in his warm neck and shut her eyes tight. They remained like that for a minute or two, with Spirit allowing Misty to get all of her concealed emotions out of her system.

"Our son needs you." He spoke up, afterwards. "I'm guessing he's hungry. Come." He beckoned her with a reassuring, kind smile.

"Yes, I need him too." To Spirit's surprise, Misty nodded and smiled back, as she slowly followed him to the territory of Cimarron, at last looking calm and collected as though nothing had happened at all.

Once the stallion and the mare returned to the anxious, awaiting group of Cimarron herd members and their allies, Esperanza whinnied with a sigh of relief while the wobbly dark colt – surrounded by his caring aunts, cousins and uncles – stumbled over to his dam, desperate and eager for a drink of milk. Snuffling from wide black nostrils, Misty nuzzled her foal as they reunited in a sweet cuddle. As soon as Misty's nose touched her little offspring, she felt a strange tranquility gushing in her heart. She felt relaxed and completely filled with serenity. The new mother nudged her long-legged, burly colt closer to her, gently directing him towards the source that had the ability to quell his hunger as well as help him grow. With a head held high, the dark foal moved to suckle in eagerness.

"Alright, clear out!" Spirit turned to the curious spectators. "Nothing to see here. Go to sleep!"

"What do you mean 'nothing to see here'?" The dissatisfied Azogar snorted. "You just had another son!"

"Not to mention, two sons in one day." Cloud remarked in awe. "Congratulations yet again!"

"TWO sons in ONE day?!" Repeated the shocked Azogar. "Teach me your ways!" He begged the golden stallion.

Oh, brother! "Seriously, you all need to give us some space." Spirit insisted, as he gestured for the over-zealous, excited band stallions to walk back to their respective spots.

"Azogar, get over here." Flint neighed at him from the other side of the meadow. He had taken his place on the left pastures of the principal grazing ground. It was true that for a while, Flint, Azogar and Cloud had relocated to the Cimarron valley, but they still needed to keep a respectful distance between their bands.

"Let's talk in the morning, okay?"

"But how did you...isn't this like your first time?" Demanded the stunned silver grullo. "How is it possible to beget two sons in one day?"

"I don't know, call it a beginners luck I guess? Now go to sleep." Spirit said quickly, hoping this would do the trick and he escorted them away from the main Cimarron band.

Spirit let out a deep exhale when the much anticipated stillness floated over his herd at last. He slowly shifted himself closer to Misty and their colt, yet took care not to get very near. He figured that both the exhausted mother and their son deserved some peace and quiet to connect and bond with one another. He watched the black mare get down on the grassy ground as the foal lay his small body next to his dam. Misty cradled him tighter to her side and placed her head over the foal.

"Sleep well, my little band stallion." Misty whispered contentedly, beaming with great pride. "Looks like my unreachable lead mare dreams are finally coming true."

"Excuse me?" Spirit furrowed his brows. "I'm still here and so is my mother." He frowned, looking very displeased.

"Well, you gotta die sometime." Misty shrugged and closed her eyes.

"Yep, and she's back to normal." The young stallion shook his head, glancing over at the silent Esperanza.

"I think he's going to be a sooty buckskin." The creamy mare told her son softly. "He's quite dark now, but has golden strands of hair all over his body." She spoke, her gaze studied the sleeping colt. "Once grown, he will have a beautiful bronze color on him...like that of the dust of the desert plains."

"Desert Dust..." Mumbled Spirit, staring at his mother with a bright grin. "That's sounds like a nice calling, don't you think?"

"It is perfect." Agreed the beautiful palomino.

"I like it. We'll call him Dusty for short." Misty added suddenly, lifting her head in approval.

"I thought you were asleep." Spirit said, surprised that she had overheard their small conversation.

"I am." Smirked the black mare, resting her head back on the dozing colt and shut her eyes once more.

After admiring his colt for almost half an hour, Spirit decided to do his rounds and patrolled the territory. He didn't have to worry too much. His valley was temporarily inhabited by the three other band stallions, who served as extra protection for their entire clan, however, the golden-dun stallion still felt uneasy, every time his mind went back to a certain 'ghost' that they had discussed few hours before. Spirit stopped at the edge of his homeland, his burning eyes settled on a reclusive blood-bay, who was presently stationed by the streaming river alongside an unfamiliar mare. From their interaction alone, Spirit could tell that the lovely female was the mother of Bolder. She nuzzled her son affectionately and then bidding him goodnight, hurriedly jogged back to her own band, not wanting to remain far from them for too long. As she passed Spirit, the mare acknowledged him with a courteous nod.

"Goodnight, son of Strider."

"Goodnight, the lead mare of Flint." Spirit replied nonchalantly, ignorant that this very mare was the youngest sister of Strider and accordingly one of his aunts.

"Hey." He greeted Bolder, walking forward and standing next to him. "Don't you wanna join one of our bands for the night?" He proposed. It wasn't safe for the young, wounded horse to remain distanced from the protection of the herd, especially in the late hours of the night. How was he to catch a good sleep if there wasn't anyone watching out for his safety? He needed to huddle with the band.

Bolder pursued his lips, trying not to smile in amusement. "I'll tell you the same thing I told my dam...I'll be okay. But thanks for the invite."

Spirit rolled his eyes, realizing that worrying for Bolder's security was not his responsibility. "You aren't used to the herd environment anymore." He commented.

"I guess you could say that." Nodded the blood-bay, his ears flickered towards Spirit. "I like having my own space."

"Well, then...suit yourself."

"Congrats on another son." Bolder threw in, before Spirit could turn away and leave.

"Thanks." The golden stallion's tone came off cold and quiet, even though he tried to sound polite. There was something about this lone horse that irritated Spirit and he didn't know why. Or maybe he did and was reluctant to admit it? "Listen...I..." Spirit cleared his throat, regarding the blood-bay for a moment. "I don't necessarily believe in ghosts and phantoms, but I do believe that you have no reason to lie to us. Which is why, I've decided to go ahead with your plan."

"You mean to acquire the help of the Black Stallion?" Bolder questioned, quite taken aback that Spirit, of all horses, had trusted him.

"Yes. When do you see him usually?"

"I've only seen him three times." Confessed the Lone Stallion. "And all three sightings were at night...under the light of the moon."

Spirit's gaze was drawn to the dark, cloud sky. The thick, white substance was currently covering the shiny stars and the moon.

"He may not be a ghost, but he's powerful and seems to like playing hide and seek." Spirit paused for a moment. "Tomorrow's supposed to be a full moon. Let's see if your new friend visits us then. And if he does, we'll be ready for him." He pierced the silent Bolder with a determined look.

"Perhaps, he draws his power from the moon?" Wondered the blood-bay mostly to himself, yet he said his words loud enough for Spirit to hear.

"I don't believe in superstition and mystical powers." The golden-dun dismissed right away. "And it's definitely not my late father's phantom." He insisted, involuntarily his thoughts were once again filled with what Rain had told him days ago. How the pale-faced two-leggeds had made him and his sire into a one 'ghost' horse, whatever that meant.

"I don't know..." Sighed Bolder. "Flying over a canyon is pretty darn mystical, don't you agree?" He asked, teasing smirk tucking the corners of his mouth.

Spirit chuckled, shaking his head with a snort. "That's not mystical."

"The Eagle happens to think so."

"Do you?"

"I don't know...do you want me to?"

"No."

Bolder tossed the auburn, curly forelock out of his eyes and nodded at him. "Goodnight, Spirit."

"Goodnight." The golden horse was just about to swing back to his restful herd, when he suddenly remembered something he was asked to do. "Oh! Hey, uh..." He hesitantly turned to Bolder again, debating if he should say anything at all. "When you'll heal completely, you should...go visit Rain. Tell her you're alive... she's ah... worried for your safety."

Bolder couldn't retain a vivid smile on his countenance. She was concerned about him? That was like a sweet spring song of chirping birds in his ears. "And you're telling me this because?..." He raised his brows, slightly confused that Spirit was the one to initiate this sensitive topic.

"Because she asked me to."

In spite of his sudden racing heart and surging happiness upon hearing those words, Bolder spoke with sympathy. "I'm sorry it didn't work out for you two."

"Oh, please!" Scoffed Spirit. "Let's not pretend like this isn't exactly what you wanted." He glared at him bitterly.

"Lose the attitude, Spirit." Cautioned Bolder, glowering right back at him. "It's not my fault you got dumped. That's your own doing."

"So, are you trying to say that you weren't the one that diverted me with your obnoxious uncle in order to swoop in and steal Rain, like a sneaky, cowardly predator stalking its prey?"

Bolder twitched his jaw in an uncomfortable silence, unable to find a good justification for his rather shameful actions.

"What? Am I wrong?" Spirit challenged, spitting out his sentence forcefully.

"No."

"Hmph... you're a jackass." Spirit concluded in anger.

"And you're an entitled prick." Retorted Bolder.

Spirit released a sharp, agitated air from his lungs, striking the ground with his right foreleg. "I'll let this one slide cause of your injuries, but if it were a different day, I'd knock you in this river."

"Threatening someone while they're hurt?" Bolder questioned, smug smirk appearing on his face. "Chivalrous till the end, Spirit."

"Your end." Hissed the stallion of the Cimarron and spun back to his herd. He was done with the annoying recluse for the night!

Next chapter will update on Sunday!

Response to reviewers:

Owen O'Henry: The future of this story is written down on my scrap paper and I refer to it for new chapters, as well as expand and add more details on it. I haven't thought about crossovers or other continuations, but there's still more chapters to go till we reach the conclusion of this story. I hope you'll stick around for that and who knows? I may get inspired in the future and write more. Again, thank you for the support as always. I appreciate it.

To one of the Guests: The Eagle is definitely far from the silly, but lovable Jaskier. And his friendship with Spirit is really different too. But if he were a human in medieval times, I would imagine him as a wise figure, and even as a 'bard' that speaks poetically and sings interesting songs that profess about things yet to come. Also, I want to hear the full version of your spin on the Witcher song now! :D